The State Government has issued a new direction to better coordinate key government priorities of housing, energy infrastructure and jobs around the Aerotropolis.
Currently, priorities and delivery timeframes on projects can differ significantly between agencies, which is creating unnecessary red tape and unacceptable delays.
Infrastructure NSW will now take on the responsibility to coordinate infrastructure to support housing, energy, and freight, logistics, and employment priorities around the Aerotropolis.
The Western Parkland City Authority will be renamed as the Bradfield Development Authority to be led by incoming CEO Ken Morrison.
The Bradfield Development Authority will focus solely on delivering Bradfield Town Centre and supporting investment attraction.
“It is vital to get key government agencies working more closely together to deliver the priorities of housing, energy infrastructure and jobs for Western Sydney and the Aerotropolis,” said Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney, Prue Car.
“We have listened to local leaders, businesses, local government, and stakeholders about the delays to the delivery of essential infrastructure and we are acting to promote greater coordination across government.
“The Aerotropolis is vital to the future of Western Sydney so we need to work together in a more coordinated way to deliver what will be a game changer for the region.”
But the Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Scott Farlow, declared it a “Bradfield Backflip”.
“After 12wasted months the Premier has finally realised that the Department of Planning alone cannot get the job done in delivering a world-class Aerotropolis and needs a broader delivery agency to co-ordinate infrastructure delivery for this vital project across Government,” Farlow said.
“Today’s announcement of the Bradfield Development Authority and a broader remit for Infrastructure NSW and the Co-ordinator General is a backflip worthy of medal consideration in the upcoming Olympic games.”
“The Premier’s announcement is a case of back to future, but unlike Marty McFly, Chris Minns doesn’t get to go back in time and has cost the development of the Aerotropolis twelve wasted months.”
The changes come as a major Aerotropolis milestone was reached this week.
It was a political who’s who at the site of the future Bradfield Metro Station on Wednesday as the Metro came one step closer to completion.
Prime Minster Anthony Albanese was joined by NSW Premier Chris Minns, Deputy Premier Prue Car, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Catherine King, NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen and NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully to announce that three tunnel boring machines (TBMs) named Catherine, Eileen and Peggy have completed their journeys.
The TBMs were working to connect the points of the new Metro Transport network from St Marys to the Western Sydney International Airport.
Haylen said that the construction created local jobs and will continue to do so.
“Half of the people working out here on this airport link come from this part of Sydney,” she said.
“In fact, over 550 people were delivering those tunnels under our feet for the last year.
“They have moved at over 120 metres a week and the second last TBM broke through last Friday.
“We are making incredible progress on this game-changing project that is not only delivering jobs right now but will make sure there are quality jobs here in the heart of western Sydney into the future.”
Albanese said the TBM breakthrough is giving western Sydney the infrastructure it needs.
“The breakthrough represents a major progress for western Sydney. This project will transform the way that Sydney operates,” he said.
“For too long, everything has looked towards the CBD and the centre, what this airport will do [along] with the Aerotropolis is make sure that Sydney doesn’t just look in, [but] it looks out.”
Minns said the Metro sites are a game-changer for the communities serviced by the airport and Metro line.
“This is an absolute game-changer in how people interact with the airport but also for the emerging communities that will spring up along this airport line in the decade ahead,” he said.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.